Download Romans in Palestine

Romans in Palestine
Introduction 1
The Greek Seleucid rulers of Judaea tried
to force the Jews to adopt pagan ways.
 In 168 BCE the high priest was executed,
an altar to Zeus was erected in the
Temple, and laws were passed forbidding
Jewish practices (circumcision, Sabbath &
festivals) & making pagan sacrifice
compulsory on pain of death

Introduction 2
This led to rebellion by Judas ‘Maccabeus’ and
his brothers (the Hasmonaean family)
 Towards the end of the Hasmonaean period the
Jewish ruler John Hyrcanus (135-104 BCE)
added new territories to his kingdom and forced
the Idumaeans to accept circumcision
 The Romans tended to encourage the
Hasmonaeans against the Seleucids; some texts
even suggest an ‘alliance’.

Introduction - 3
Pompey (Roman General) marched into
Palestine 63BCE.
 Both Caesar and Augustus offered Jews
protection to worship as they chose.
 Temple tax was allowed to be collected.
 Romans did give Jews some independence
with their religion and chose not to
interfere with the running of the temple
too much.

However, the Romans could also betray
the Jews. In 70AD Temple destroyed.
 The main influential Jews wanted to keep
with the Romans, while other groups were
opposed, sometimes openly, to Roman
occupation.
 Palestine was unstable – peace insecure,
religious freedom depended on the ruler
of the time.

Herod
Herod the first was one of the first Roman kings, 374BCE.
 Converted to Jewish faith – for selfish reasons.
 With consent of Augustus extended state of Jews –
covered a wider area.
 2 of Herod’s sons were educated in Rome; he visited
Augustus and took the name Agrippa into his family.
 Herod kept Hellenisation – main cultural influence.
 Herod built temples in non Jewish cities to Augustus –
showing support for Rome.
 At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod perhaps ordered a
massacre of Jewish baby boys. He also placed forbidden
idols in the Temple.

Herod’s Inconsistency
In rooms where he entertained Jews,
Herod allowed no decorative use of
human or animal imagery; but did use it in
other rooms
 Herod had a representation of an eagle
erected over the Temple gate; several
people who tried to cut it down were
executed by Herod’s order.

Government
Jewish people allowed freedom in their
governing system and religious practice, but
were ultimately subject to Roman authority. The
Sanhedrin was allowed to sit but to pass the
death sentence the Romans had to give their
consent.
 The Roman Empire thrived on this system of
syncretism
 Heavy taxation – tax collectors were considered
to be traitors.
 3 segments in Israel – agriculture, trade and
large government buildings.

The Roman rulers of Judaea from 6 CE
onwards called prefects (a military role) or
procurators (an administrative role).
 In 6 CE Quirinius held a census (referred
to in Luke 2:1-5) of Judaea; this led to an
uprising by Judas of Galilee & his followers
 Pontius Pilate became prefect in 26 CE

Pilate and the Jews
The Jews detested Pilate
 Roman historian Pliny, quoting a Jewish
source, calls Pilate ‘by nature inflexible
and stubbornly relentless’, and accuses
him of ‘corruption, insults, rape, outrages
on the people, arrogance, repeated
murders of innocent victims, and constant
and most galling savagery.’

Josephus on Pilate - 1
Josephus says that near the beginning of his
term of office, Pilate ‘led his army from Caesarea
and established it for winter quarters in
Jerusalem, for the purpose of destroying the
laws of the Jews.’
 The Jews would have been particularly offended
by the presence of the Roman imperial insignia
(especially the legions’ standards) in Jerusalem
 After prolonged protest, Pilate withdrew the
standards.

Josephus on Pilate - 2
An aqueduct was built to supply Jerusalem
 Pilate insisted that the Temple treasury
should pay for this building – from a fund
specifically reserved for religious
expenses.
 Pilate disguised troops to infiltrate the
crowd and attack them.
 Both these incidents occurred in Jesus’
lifetime.

Religious differences
Jewish belief in one God (monotheism),
invisible and cannot be portrayed.
 Roman belief in many Gods (polytheism),
who could be represented by
images/idols.
 Roman pluralism: people can and do
follow more than one religion
 Jewish absolutism: there is only one true
faith; any mixing of faiths is apostasy.

Relations
Hellenisation did not reach Galilee –
remote.
 Strong resistance to Roman ways, Jews
largely carried on their daily life using
Jewish traditions and teachings.
 Some Jews prepared to defend their rights
to the death.
 Relations depended on the ruler of the
time.

Conclusions
Positives and Negatives to the Roman
Occupation of Palestine.
 Differerent groups held different views eg,
Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots.
 Relations depended on the ruler of the
time.
 Jews allowed some independence but
Romans had ultimate authority.
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